FOG Tony Currie reveals his greatest moment – and it is not what you think it would be
Former Queensland State of Origin great Tony Currie has revealed his greatest moment – and it is not what you think it would be. Origins, Tests, NRL and BRL premierships, even a Rothman’s Medal, but what is his career treasure?
West
Don't miss out on the headlines from West . Followed categories will be added to My News.
Tony Currie won premierships with Canterbury and the Broncos, played in 15 Origins and seven Tests, won a BRL Rothman’s Medal and finished his career with a premiership at his beloved Wests Panthers.
So what is his career highlight?
Answer: None of the above.
“In 1989 I was the Dally M centre of the year,’’ Currie said.
“I was up against O’Connor, Meninga, ET, McGaw, Jackson. That is one of the really treasured possessions I have.’’
BRL Flashbacks: Wally’s shock State of Origin call-up.
BRL flashbacks: Oli’s tough love
BRL flashbacks: Mr Nice Guys of the BRL
Currie grew up in the heart of Wests Panthers country, Paddington, ironically in a Hale St home that Wests 1970s premiership winning skipper, Bob Green, was also raised in.
“I played with Bob Green you know,’’ Currie said proudly.
It was the year of his first grade debut in 1981 and the old warhorse Green had been lured out of retirement.
“He was brought back to bring some toughness to the pack. John Lohmann (coach) got him out of retirement.
“He wanted Bob to give us some mongrel as it was a transition from the team that won the premierships (in the 1970s) into to the early 1980s.’’
Currie loved Wests and the Wests district loved Currie.
Team mate Adrian Coolwell, himself so talented that he played first grade league and cricket (Valley) in the same year, said the community looked up to Currie.
“He never forgets his mates,’’ Coolwell said.
“Randell (Coolwell’s brother) lost his leg but he (Currie) is always there for you,’’ said Coolwell, proudly stating that he and Currie are from the same tribe, the Mununjali people.
Currie’s rise through the ranks continued at speed in 1982 when he played for Queensland residents – and then made his Origin debut.
“A big group went down, all his mates, to watch him play in Sydney,’’ Coolwell said.
“Mum (Valda) went down, a whole group.
“It was unbelievable. We had grown up with him and then he comes out and is one of the best centres in Queensland. Mal (Meninga) and Gene (Miles), he was not too far behind them.’’
Currie capped his fairy-tale 1982 season with the BRL Rothman’s Medal, but the following season Currie had to overcome a broken arm in 1983 which disrupted his career.
However, at the end of 1984 he had a career defining stint with Leeds in England which gave his career momentum again.
“I had to grow up a bit, be more independent,’’ Currie said.
“I loved the challenges of playing in ice and snow in England and never looked back after that.
“Eventually I made it into the Origin side full-time.’’
Currie went on to play 15 Origins and seven Tests, and win premierships with Canterbury and the Broncos before a finale in local club league with his beloved Wests Panthers in 1993.
The night he helped the Broncos win their inaugural premiership in 1992 sparked a night of celebrations at Red Hill headquarters.
THE 1970s BEST BRL TEAM REVEALED
THE BEST TALENTS WHO NEVER MADE THE NRL
“He said come down to Broncos club after they won the premiership and I went over to have a beer. I don’t think we even saw him that night – we couldn’t find him, there were so many people’’ Coolwell recalled.
Currie was snug in retirement, basking in the glory of the Broncos’ premiership victory, when Wests centre Sam Smith suffered a season-ending injury at the start of the 1993 BRL season.
So Wests coach Gary Greincke asked Currie to come out of retirement and play in the BRL.
“I had won the premiership with the Broncos the year before,’’ Currie said.
For six weeks Currie said he was huffing and puffing as he worked his way closer to match fitness before a fairy-tale ending to his career when Wests beat Easts.
Easts were coached by John Lang and had a young Paul Green as their halfback as halfback, but the Panthers prevailed against the Tigers who were favourites.
It was the perfect end to a fantastic career by one of Wests and Queensland’s greatest ever players.